Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

The Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, is aware of the difficulties that face homeless people. I wish to discuss the particular difficulties experienced by homeless people in accessing dental services. There are no reliable national data on the number of individuals who are homeless in this country. I have seen estimates of up to 5,000 people and concerns have also been expressed about the increase in the number of young people who are homeless.

I ask that funding be ring-fenced for dental services for the homeless in Galway and Galway city in particular. Galway Simon Community and HSE west are co-operating closely to help the homeless despite the moratorium on recruitment. Progress has also been made on funding for chiropody services for homeless people and a multi-disciplinary team has been put in place with a psychiatric nurse, a substance misuse counsellor and a designated community nurse. I pay tribute to the nurse, Ms Joan Gavin, and her team for the work they are doing. However, the homeless face major barriers to accessing dental services. They are a high risk group for oral and dental disease and dental services should form an integral part of the primary care services for these vulnerable people.

When I speak about homelessness I do not refer solely to those who are sleeping rough. Those who live in hostels, sleep on the sofas of their friends' houses or remain in hospital because they lack a home in which to recuperate are also affected by these issues. They receive limited entitlements because they are treated under the group medical card scheme but they also require dental services. Many also suffer from depression and other problems. My main request is that the Minister of State considers funding and considers ring-fencing funding for dental services for the homeless.

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